fawn&forest

Today's Forest Finds Q+A is with Maiko Kuzunishi the mastermind behind Decoylab Design Studio. I am always intrigued by those who are multi-talented and work in a variety of mediums - including being a new mom! - such as Maiko. Check out her website  for a full meal of her creativity and talent.   

When you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a first grade we had this assignment where we drew what we wanted to be when we grew up. After given it a thought, I ended up asking my parents what I should be. My dad said "how about a newscaster?" so that's what I drew... a very square looking anchor woman. (and I must tell you that it was pretty good drawing.) I really did not care what I wanted to be when I grew up and maybe it's because I didn't want to grow up? Or maybe I just wanted to be myself and not anybody or anything else. I still don't have any idea what I want to be or that if I have grown up... I know I'm older. I also know that I am more true to myself than I was before. And maybe that's really all i wanted and cared. I just like being myself. 

You are certainly multidisciplinary - of what you do, what aspect is the most challenging?
Becoming multidisciplinary was not my goal but as a result of going after what interested me -- it was not my intention. Having said that, I do realize that I've encompassed different vocations. Each vocation has its own world, it's microcosm and the challenge was to learn each world like going into a foreign country and trying to speak new language. Each world challenged me to prove to them that I am competent.

What does the rest of '08 hold for you?
'08 has been a chaotic year since the birth of my daughter in March. I am still figuring out my work schedule which is nearly impossible since my daughter is growing up so quickly and we don't have a well established pattern yet.  I have tons of ideas for products and I'm fired up to do lots of design work as I do miss working!!

BUT I don't want to miss my daughter growing up either. It's her first year and I waited 9 months for this!! So the rest of the year will be me going back and forth chaotically between work and my daughter trying to balance it out. Can't you just see? I am thankful that I work from home that it's just going back and forth between living room to a bedroom converted into my studio. I rush to my studio as soon as my daughter falls asleep and I rush to my daughter as soon as I hear her crying!

Thank you Maiko!